In June 2013, a Canadian medical lab, Lifelabs, lost patient files and personal information of more than 16,000 patients. A computer sent for servicing was returned without its hard drive, containing valuable ECG results gathered at three local facilities between 2007 and 2013. Its lab data management failed due to its enormous cost.

More recently, in April 2023, a ransomware attack at a medical testing lab, Enzo Clinical Labs, based in New York, caused a serious data breach, exposing more than 2.5 million customers. Personal data, medical files and lab results were compromised.

Theft and destruction: Today, holding critical data on hard drives is risk-prone and not considered best practice. They’re a single point of failure, and this centralised storage is vulnerable to destruction, theft and corrupt data. While no system is impervious to being attacked, measures around the privacy of your customers, lab research and confidential information must be taken seriously.

The Investigator pointed out that “healthcare providers are prime targets for ransomware attackers. They sometimes have less robust IT systems and have a high incentive to pay the ransom to regain control of systems and protect patient data.”

Old data: Another serious issue is data loss due to the unsuccessful transfer of physical medical files and data to electronic versions. Today, data is lost at a rate of 17% annually, and 80% of datasets older than 20 years are no longer available.

• How robust are the privacy measures around your lab’s research data?

• Are you confident that your files are secure?

• Are your old and historical data archived properly?

Find out how eLabNext can provide a solution for your lab requirements.

In this blog, you will find:

1. What is Lab Data Management (LDM)?
2. What digital platforms does your lab need?
3. What happens when your LDM fails?
4. What are the priorities of lab data management?
5. A checklist of a proper lab data management system
6. How did you rate?
7. An elegant, all-in-one lab data management solution

Let's begin!

What is Lab Data Management?

Lab Data Management (LDM) is the systematic organisation, storage, retrieval and analysis of data generated in a laboratory environment. This encompasses samples, inventory, experiments, findings, instruments, photos and more. It is crucial and central to many industries and disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics and environmental sciences. 

The primary goal of lab data management is to ensure that data is: 

• Accurately recorded
• Securely stored
• Easily accessible for analysis and reporting

It’s imperative to assess the scalability and flexibility of the system to accommodate future growth and changes in research teams. Beyond that, its users are human beings with a mix of IT savviness, so user-friendly interfaces and ease of integration with existing laboratory instruments and systems are pivotal in decreasing human input error and accidental data removal.

A good LDM system will factor in the following:

• The size of the laboratory
• The complexity of experiments
• Data security requirements
• Regulatory compliance needs
• Budget constraints

A successfully implemented LDM mitigates theft, loss of data and human error.

What digital platform does your lab need?

It’s important to understand the differences in labels and offerings out there so that your lab has the best digital platform for its needs, objectives and flow. Broadly speaking, there are LIS platforms and ELN platforms.

LIS has increasingly (and confusingly) come to mean a few different things: Lab Information Systems and Lab Inventory Systems. 

ELN is an electronic lab notebook platform. It is meant to replace physical notebooks found in labs. 

Very few LIS or ELN platforms today offer a complete lab solutions platform for inventory, protocol and journaling that all labs need. Most are complicated, require third-party software that forces disparate software to work as one and are not as versatile with cross platforms.

Do you know which platform is best suited to your needs? Why?

Make sure you check out our next blog, where we deep dive into these different platforms and compare elements to aid you in ensuring the platform you use for your lab is best suited to your needs.

Information integrity today: when a LDM fails

Today, information is money. Medical facilities and research labs come under attack because of the rich content of personal information, including addresses, passwords, contact details, health vulnerabilities, patent information, corporate secrets and research findings. They are targeted in various ways, including:

• Ransomware Attacks Cybercriminals may deploy ransomware to maliciously encrypt critical medical and research data, demanding a ransom for its release. 
• Data Breaches Attackers may aim to steal sensitive patient information, research data, or intellectual property. Stolen healthcare records can be valuable on the dark web for identity theft, insurance fraud or other malicious activities.
• Phishing Attacks Phishing emails, which attempt to trick individuals into divulging sensitive information, are a prevalent threat. In healthcare and research settings, attackers may use fake emails to access login credentials, financial information or sensitive research data.
• Supply Chain Attacks Cybercriminals may target the supply chain of medical facilities or research labs. Compromising the security of vendors, suppliers, or partners can provide attackers with a pathway to infiltrate the primary target.
• Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs): APTs involve highly sophisticated, targeted attacks often carried out by well-funded and organised groups. These attacks aim to gain persistent access to networks, often for espionage purposes and can be particularly challenging to detect.
• Disruption of Healthcare Services Cyberattacks may be aimed at disrupting critical healthcare services, such as patient care systems, medical devices or communication infrastructure. This has severe consequences for patient safety and overall healthcare operations.
• Intellectual Property Theft Research labs are often targeted for intellectual property theft, including valuable scientific discoveries, experimental data or proprietary information.
• Internet of Things (IoT) Vulnerabilities Many medical devices and laboratory equipment leverage the Internet of Things If IoT devices are not properly secured and managed. Security vulnerabilities in these devices can be exploited to gain unauthorised access, disrupt operations, or steal sensitive information if IoT devices are not properly secured and managed.

In May 2019, an American Medical Collection Agency (AMCA) data breach impacted the privacy of more than 22 million patients. It costs €361,000 to involve IT professionals and consultants from three different firms to identify the source of the breach, diagnose its cause and implement appropriate solutions. Furthermore, 

more than €3.5 million was spent meeting legal requirements and regulatory obligations. AMCA was forced to reduce its workforce from 113 to 25 employees to cope with its sudden financial repercussions.

• How savvy is your lab data management system?

The priorities of Lab Data Management

Where do issues arise when choosing an LDM? What do you need to consider before making the choice? Does your LDM provider cover the following?

Data Quality Assurance

Data Quality Assurance in Lab Data Management refers to the systematic process of ensuring the accuracy, completeness and reliability of laboratory data. It involves validating data at various stages, implementing quality control measures and adhering to standardised protocols. This ensures that research findings and clinical results derived from the data are trustworthy and meet regulatory requirements. 

If this is compromised or fails, it can lead to inaccurate research outcomes, compromised patient care decisions, and regulatory non-compliance. Inaccurate data may result in flawed analyses, misinterpretations, and erroneous conclusions, impacting the integrity of scientific research or diagnostic procedures. 

What is lost if your lab’s data quality assurance is weak? It’s the trust your customers place in laboratory results that can hinder further collaboration. It poses serious ethical and legal consequences in the fields of healthcare and scientific research.

Have you heard of Samplecheck5000? It may sound particularly attractive to labs, but it is actually malware developed to specifically target labs for its sensitive data!

Data security and confidentiality

The data your lab collects is confidential for your customers and your proprietary research and findings. Protecting your data’s confidentiality and security involves implementing measures to safeguard sensitive information generated or stored in laboratories. This includes protecting patient records, research findings and proprietary data from unauthorised access, disclosure or alteration. Security measures may include encryption (in transit and at rest), access controls and secure storage protocols.

Inadequate measures to protect your data can destroy the integrity of your business and cause massive financial debts to fix and compensate for damages. In today's IoT era, it is easy to gain unauthorised access to sensitive patient information, intellectual property theft or regulatory violations. Patient privacy may be jeopardised, leading to legal consequences and damaging an institution's reputation. Research findings may be at risk of theft or manipulation, impacting the validity and trustworthiness of scientific outcomes. 

ISO 27001 The ISO 27001 is an international standard published jointly by the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission in 2005. It provides benchmarks for managing information security, and the latest standards were updated in 2022. When an organisation is aligned and certified by ISO 27001, it becomes a tool for risk management, cyber-resilience and operational excellence.

• Is your LDM ISO 27001 certified?

Data storage and retrieval

Data storage and retrieval in Lab Data Management refer to the systematic organisation, storage and efficient retrieval of laboratory data. Today, scalable solutions are vital to cope with the evolving growth of samples or customers needed. Hard drives or even servers have limited capacity for storage—Cloud-based solutions offer flexibility and are engineered to remove single points of failure. 

It is imperative that your lab data management involves establishing secure and accessible repositories for diverse types of data, such as experimental results, patient records and research findings. Effective storage systems ensure data integrity, accessibility and long-term preservation. 

If compromised, data storage and retrieval issues can lead to data loss, corruption or delays in accessing critical information. Lab researchers can run into issues hindering scientific progress and decision-making. In a healthcare setting, patient care is impacted when there are delays in accessing vital medical records—or even worse, when data is lost. 

Old and historical data, particularly within a medical environment, is still relevant when treating a patient—if those files and folders succumb to fire, flooding, accidental destruction or chemical damage, the valuable information is irretrievably lost. Not to mention printing inks that might fade over time or suffer insect attacks, such as silverfish. Proper archiving is essential to prevent further loss.

Data integration

Data comes from all sources, particularly if we include historical and archived data—which can be important to derive valuable patterns and trends for lab and research use.

Data integration in Lab Data Management involves consolidating diverse data sets from different sources within a laboratory or across multiple laboratories. It aims to provide a unified and coherent view of data, facilitating comprehensive analyses and informed decision-making. Effective data integration enhances collaboration, accelerates research and enables a holistic understanding of complex scientific phenomena. 

If compromised, incomplete or inaccurate datasets can hinder researchers' ability to derive meaningful insights. Inconsistencies in integrated data may lead to erroneous conclusions and impact the reliability of research outcomes. Additionally, failed data integration can impede interdisciplinary collaborations, slow down research progress and introduce inefficiencies in laboratory workflows. 

Data governance

Data governance in Lab Data Management refers to the establishment and enforcement of policies, procedures and standards to ensure the quality, integrity and security of laboratory data throughout its lifecycle. It involves defining roles, responsibilities, and guidelines for data management, access, and usage. 

Effective data governance promotes accountability of data streams, data consistency, transparency and compliance with regulatory requirements. 

Data governance issues can lead to data inconsistencies, unauthorised access and regulatory non-compliance. Lack of clear policies and oversight may result in data mismanagement, compromising the reliability and trustworthiness of research outcomes. 

Data backups

Backups are essential in the lab environment. It involves creating duplicate copies of critical data to safeguard against loss or corruption. This process ensures the availability of data in the event of accidental deletion, hardware failure or other unforeseen issues—and can help protect against ransomware. Regular backups contribute to data resilience and are crucial for maintaining the integrity of research findings and patient records. 

Cloud-based Lab Data Management (LDM) solutions offer benefits such as automated backups, scalability, and accessibility. With cloud-based LDM, data is stored off-site, reducing the risk of data loss due to on-site disasters. A good SAAS-delivered LDM platform will ensure your data should be encrypted in transit and at rest.

The consequences of not backing up data or not being rigorous in choices, levels of security and frequency can be severe. Loss of critical data may impede ongoing research, disrupt laboratory workflows and compromise the continuity of patient care. Without reliable backups, recovery from data loss becomes challenging, potentially resulting in permanent loss of valuable information, setbacks in research projects and compromised scientific integrity. 

Data traceability

Increasingly, data provenance is highly sought—as it allows the data to be traced to its source, its human owner and inputter and creates accountability and integrity.

The ability to track and document the origin, processing steps and modifications of laboratory data throughout its lifecycle is essential to publishing research, accessing research grants and moving the needle forward to creating a successful solution/product. It involves maintaining a comprehensive audit trail that ensures transparency, accountability and compliance with regulatory standards. 

With data traceability, researchers can validate and reproduce results, verify the quality of data, and adhere to stringent documentation requirements. Cloud-based LDM solutions enhance data traceability by providing de-centralised storage, automated version control and access logs. This facilitates collaboration, reduces the risk of errors and ensures that data can be reliably traced back to its source.

Compliance

Maintaining compliance in a lab environment, particularly in environments governed by Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) guidelines, is critical. The GLP is a set of principles and standards established 

by various national and international regulatory agencies. One of the key organisations involved in developing and promoting GLP principles at the global level is the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In the European Union, GLP regulations are outlined in Directive 2004/10/EC, which was later incorporated into the Good Laboratory Practice Regulation (EU) No 2017/160.

The primary objective of GLP is to facilitate the generation of high-quality and credible data, particularly in industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and biotechnology. Regulatory bodies rely on the data generated in non-clinical studies to make decisions about the safety and efficacy of products before they reach the market. Adherence to GLP helps ensure that the data produced is of the highest quality, minimising the risk of errors, fraud and misinterpretation.

Compliance encompasses data collection, storage, retrieval, and documentation processes to meet regulatory requirements and maintain the quality of research outcomes.

A cloud-based LDM system provides several benefits, such as de-centralised and secure storage, automated audit trails, and version control mechanisms that facilitate traceability, allowing organisations to demonstrate compliance during regulatory inspections within their supply chain. Cloud-based solutions also enable scalability, accommodating the growing volume of data generated in research labs and ensuring efficient and cost-effective management.

The consequences of non-compliance can be severe, especially when failing to meet GLP guidelines. Regulatory penalties, data rejection by authorities and damage to the institution's reputation are potential outcomes. 

🡪 What can happen at a legal level if your lab is not digitised? Read our whitepaper. 

Version control

Systematic management and tracking of changes made to datasets, software and analysis tools over time ensures version control for a successful Lab Data Management (LDM). With effective version control, researchers can identify, compare and revert to previous versions of data or software, maintaining data integrity and reproducibility. 

Failure to have effective version control results in challenging management of multiple versions of datasets. The reliability and efficacy of data sets weaken, leading to confusion, errors and difficulties in reproducing or validating research results. 

Data ownership and intellectual property

Data ownership and intellectual property (IP) involve defining and protecting the rights and responsibilities associated with generated data and intellectual contributions. In the context of a research lab, IP encompasses the creations, innovations and discoveries conducted within the laboratory. It often includes:

• Patents
• Copyrights (software code, scientific publications)
• Trademarks (lab names, logos or brand names)
• Trade secrets like methods, techniques or procedures, recipes (e.g., in perfumery, food & drink production)
• Databases/sets
• Innovations (e.g., if a lab or organisation designs their own novel equipment or devices.)

Researchers, institutions and collaborators need clear agreements on data ownership, authorship and intellectual property rights to avoid disputes and ensure ethical use. De-centralised LDM systems can facilitate these aspects by providing transparent access controls, audit trails and collaborative platforms. Permissions can be fine-tuned, ensuring that only authorised individuals can access, modify or share specific datasets, safeguarding sensitive information and adhering to legal and ethical standards.

This is an extremely important facet of your Lab Data Management. If this is compromised, costly disputes may arise over authorship, data usage or intellectual property rights.  Inadequate protection may discourage innovation, collaboration and the secure exchange of data, hindering scientific progress. 

Training and documentation

At the end of the day, any Lab Data Management system is only as good as the ability of the user to comply. It is no good if the user insists on sticking with notebooks, pens and pencils! Training and education on proper data management practices and maintaining comprehensive records outlining data handling procedures are vital for lab users. While the software may be intuitive, it still needs humans to be properly initiated into its usage.

Training ensures that individuals understand the importance of data integrity, security and compliance with relevant regulations. Clear documentation provides guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for data collection, storage, analysis and sharing.

Documentation is also crucial: Cloud platforms facilitate real-time updates, ensuring all users can access the latest information. Training modules can be delivered remotely, fostering efficient onboarding and continuous education for lab personnel.

Data reporting

Efficient data reporting is crucial for communication, decision-making and meeting regulatory requirements. 

Data reporting is the systematic and accurate presentation of research findings, experimental results and analytical outcomes. This process includes creating comprehensive reports, summarising key insights and ensuring that the data presented is clear, transparent and adheres to relevant standards. Cloud-based solutions enhance data traceability, ensuring that the reported information can be linked back to its source and supporting reproducibility.

Without high-level data reporting, the dissemination of inaccurate or incomplete information results in flawed interpretations hinders collaboration and impacts the credibility of research outcomes. Inadequate reporting practices can also lead to regulatory non-compliance, especially in industries where adherence to standards is essential. 

Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELN) integration

Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELN) are digital versions of traditional paper lab notebooks. They enable researchers to record, organise and share experimental data electronically, improving collaboration, data accessibility and traceability in laboratory settings. There are many ELN software in the market but few integrate seamlessly with inventory systems, LIMS and LIS software too—particularly one within its own ecosystems.

Does your Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELN) integrate seamlessly with the other systems in your Lab Data Management (LDM) or is it disparate and glitchy? The benefits of ELN integration include being able to access their electronic notebooks securely from anywhere, facilitating remote collaboration; while real-time synchronisation ensures that the latest data entries are instantly available to the entire team. 

Data silos are a very real problem when integration fails, causing data to be scattered across various platforms, hindering collaboration and traceability. Incomplete integration may result in data duplication or loss, affecting the accuracy and completeness of experimental records. Security vulnerabilities in the ELN integration can expose sensitive information to unauthorised access, risking data integrity and confidentiality.

Resource constraints

Every lab has to work within set budgets, personnel and IT support. Integrating considerations regarding implementing and maintaining advanced data management systems into decision-making within a laboratory setting is vital. Laboratories often face challenges in allocating funds and dedicated personnel for robust data management infrastructure.

Select Cloud-based LDM solutions that eliminate the need for extensive in-house IT infrastructure, reducing upfront costs and providing scalable and secure solutions. Cloud-based LDM also allows labs to benefit from regular updates and improvements without the need for costly in-house IT support.

Without adequate financial investment, labs might resort to suboptimal data management practices, potentially leading to data loss, inconsistency and reduced data quality. 

Collaboration

By definition, research within the lab environment often sits in collaboration with teams, not only within the physical confines of the lab but with partners and other teams around the world. The science world is a highly social world, with the need to collaborate with other teams in moving the process forward for their innovation, be it chemical, medical or aeronautical.

Is your Lab Data Management system able to work with other platforms seamlessly? Does it recognise other platforms?

Collaboration in Lab Data Management (LDM) involves the seamless sharing, integration and coordination of research data among team members—in- and out-of-house—and across different projects. Effective collaboration is essential for enhancing research outcomes, accelerating discoveries and fostering interdisciplinary cooperation within laboratories.

Cloud-based LDM systems allow researchers to work on the same datasets in real-time, irrespective of geographical location. These platforms also support standardised collaboration tools, ensuring uniformity in data management practices and enhancing interoperability.

Inconsistencies lead to errors, misinterpretations and delays in research projects. Inventory can be mixed up, ELN entries can be confusing, leading to data silos, hindering efficient information exchange and collaborative decision-making. Progress of research is impeded, which undermines the quality of scientific outcomes.

A checklist of a proper Lab Data Management system

Is your Lab Data Management system up to scratch? Will it pass muster today? Does it include the following?

• Data quality assurance.

• ISO27001 level security for my data so that confidentiality is maintained.

• Data is stored following modern best practices so that theft, destruction, misplaced hard drives, and computers can easily be avoided.

• My data storage flexes and scales with the needs of my team and research.

• I can easily and reliably access and retrieve my data, no matter how old it is.

• My LDM facilitates easy data integration with multiple platforms and diverse data sets.

• My data is governed by the proper establishment and enforcement of policies, procedures and standards to abide by regulatory requirements.

• My LDM ensures proper backups to secure ISO 27001-certified solutions.

• I have the ability to track and document the origin, processing steps and modifications of my laboratory data throughout its lifecycle.

• My LDM provides a high level of GLP-compliant checks to ensure my data is credible so that I can rest easy, knowing that my innovation/product is both safe and efficacious.

• My LDM systematically manages and tracks changes made to datasets, allowing me to identify, compare and revert to previous versions of data if I need to.

• My LDM provides transparent access controls, audit trails and collaborative platforms, negating issues of data ownership and compromised intellectual property.

• My LDM provider ensures that my team and I are adequately trained to use the software and have proper documentation to refer to for help.

• My LDM generates reporting for systematic and accurate presentation of research findings, experimental results and analytical outcomes.

• My LDM seamlessly integrates my ELN with our inventory systems, LIMS and LIS software.

• My LDM comfortably fits within our lab’s allotted budgets, personnel and IT support.

• My LDM allows me to collaborate with my team effortlessly—and even others within the ecosystem of my study.

How did you rate?

Data is increasingly valuable—which also means it is increasingly vulnerable. Labs spend tens of thousands to ensure the integrity, security, integration and strength of their lab data management. And yet, many don’t work seamlessly and are stapled together piecemeal, often using a workaround.

🡪 What other lab data management considerations are there? Read our other whitepapers.

A simple solution

eLabNext’s Lab Data Management is simple. We don’t like complicated. Our ecosystem of software comes in three separate modules, but all designed to work as one. What’s more, our entire ecosystem is certified ISO27001, not just the separate modules.

eLabJournal is our all-in-one electronic lab notebook (ELN). It has been designed to work seamlessly with our eLabInventory and eLabProtocol modules, providing the complete software solution for labs all over the world. We offer secure hosting plans as well as our expertise across Cloud-based hosting solutions, such as AWS, which is often considered the gold standard.

🡪Have a read about our take on what to consider when choosing the right ELN for your lab.

To securely manage your data, a decentralised, Cloud-based solution is ideal. It offers the following four main benefits:

Scalability

Because Cloud-based data solutions do not rely on you having a physical disk under your desk or in a cabinet in your building, it can expand and contract with your user pool and needs. It is also able to maintain acceptable performance as demand increases. The Cloud has "infinite" scalability as long as the applications and systems are architected optimally.

eLabNext is a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution—this means scalability is built into its strength and flexibility.

🡪 Read how easy it is to digitise your sample collection, organisation, labelling and more.

Security

Under the hood, Cloud-based data storage is designed to be decentralised, with encrypted parts of the data separated across physical disks and physical cabinets in a data centre, ideally across geographical locations. This allows the data to remain whole even if one physical cabinet fails—the Cloud can intelligently fill in the gaps. 

eLabNext allows you to control and govern your applications and data through user authentication and authorisation. We have systems in place to prevent and detect security events; our Cloud-based solution is more secure because you have a greater ability to manage security settings, which include greater logging and monitoring and the ability to take automatic actions. 

Reliability

Labs need their data and databases to be reliably delivered at any moment. Unreliable systems can mean the loss of important research results and data. Cloud-based lab data management reduces anxiety because it is a system that can serve traffic with minimal/no downtime. Additionally, the Cloud can be more secure because everything is engineered for high availability—after all, it has no single point of failure.

Equally important is eLabNext’s software ecosystem, which allows reliable integration between eLabJournal, eLabInventory, and eLabProtocol. This means no integration issues can disrupt the reliable storage, saving and cataloguing of lab data.

Resiliency

Decentralised storage systems better withstand failures and disruption by design. It can continue to serve traffic while maintaining integrity of security because redundancies are built in. Recovery can also be automated to self-heal.

eLabNext’s ISO 27001 certification includes our expertise in creating environments for your data that protect your valuable findings, patient/sample info, publications and ability to move your product to market.

ISO 27001 The ISO 27001 is an international standard published jointly by the International Organisation for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission in 2005. It provides benchmarks for managing information security; the latest standards were updated in 2022. When an organisation is aligned and certified by ISO 27001, it becomes a tool for risk management, cyber-resilience and operational excellence.

Find out more

Do you want to know more about a lab data management system that ticks all the boxes in our checklist? Our team members are experts in tech and software and have backgrounds in science and lab environments. Speak to an insider about selecting the best lab data management system that is designed from the core for your needs.

We also welcome you to sign up for a trial.

Who is eLabNext?

Please peruse our easy-to-navigate website to find out more about eLabNext. It is our mission to elevate life science research with tools that are elegantly designed from the code-up. Our eLabNext platform is powerful enough to fit the needs of 10 or 5,000 lab research teams—but remains pared down in bulk and unnecessary elements that make software bloat and become clunky over time.

We’re a Dutch-born-and-based software endeavour founded by research scientists in 2010. Erwin Seinen and Wouter de Jong developed eLabNext because they were frustrated with their paper notebooks and how software systems out there were not seamless and did not integrate with each other, including equipment, security, inventory, and sample tools. 

Today, we have offices in the Netherlands, UK, USA and Australia, servicing labs all over the world. We help future-proof their digital platforms so that they can keep doing what they do to help better the human experience and our planet.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has recently implemented new data management and sharing (DMS) requirements for grant applicants and recipients. For all researchers seeking or currently funded by NIH grants, a data management and sharing plan must be submitted detailing how they will make their data available to other scientists and the public. 

Ultimately, this change benefits science, scientists, and society as a whole: “Sharing scientific data accelerates biomedical research discovery, in part, by enabling validation of research results, providing accessibility to high-value datasets, and promoting data reuse for future research studies,” states the NIH on its website. 

However, realising these benefits and implementing a DMS plan may take a lot of work. Some labs lack the infrastructure and data recording practices for effective data management and sharing. To rectify this problem, labs will have to rid themselves of outdated lab recordkeeping practices – such as paper lab notebooks and rudimentary databases that act as black holes (data goes in, never to be seen again) – which are no longer viable solutions. 

Therefore, winning an NIH grant is now tied to modern digital laboratory platforms, which are more effective data management and sharing tools. Labs lagging on digitisation are facing new financial motivations to implement changes. 

Meeting New DMS Requirements with eLabJournal

To facilitate data sharing through digitalisation, researchers can use eLabJournal, a secure, user-friendly, cloud-based lab notebook and data management platform. eLabJournal makes it easy for researchers to enter, store, and share their data with other scientists and the public while ensuring that sensitive information is protected and data privacy laws are complied with.

Here are a few ways researchers can benefit from using eLabJournal and comply with the NIH’s new DMS requirements.

Store data in a secure and accessible manner

eLabJournal has access control options to ensure that only authorised users can view or modify their data. The platform is built on a Roles & Permissions authentication model to ensure data security within the organisation. Customisable password policies, two-factor authentication, IP range restrictions, and VPN tunnelling all support data security from external threats. All of this is obtained through a web browser interface, meaning the security you put in place will not stand in the way of you accessing your data from wherever you happen to be working that day.

Share data with other scientists and the public

The eLabJournal platform has a customisable data-sharing plan that can be included in a grant application. Through the intuitive interface, users can generate simple, customised exports of sample or experimental records. eLabJournal’s open development architecture supports even more powerful data sharing and manipulation through our extensive library of API calls. 

Ensure compliance with data privacy laws

eLabJournal uses industry-standard security protocols to protect sensitive information, including 21 CFR part 11, GDPR, GxP, and HIPAA compliance. 

Integrate DMS plans into your digital lab platform

eLabJournal can incorporate many add-ons in the eLabMarketplace, enabling customisation and expanded functionality. One of eLabJournal’s add-ons, DMPTool, presents plan summaries within eLabNext, along with a link to download complete plans. This tool enables researchers to maintain compliance and manage DMS plans from the grant drafting process through the post-award period.

Digitalisation, at no extra cost

The new NIH requirements mean you can build the cost of eLabJournal into your grant itself. The NIH has clarified its instructions: Costs associated with a data management plan, including software subscription fees, may be included in the budget for the related project. 

Data Sharing Requirements and Digitalisation go Hand-in-Hand

In conclusion, the new data-sharing requirements for NIH grants represent a significant change in how research is conducted and how data is shared. Using eLabJournal, researchers can easily meet these requirements, promote collaboration, increase transparency, and improve public access to research data. Furthermore, many old excuses preventing labs from enacting data management modernisation are now moot: If you are applying for NIH funding, digitalisation is necessary.

If you want to see how eLabJournal can help your lab effectively manage and share data, schedule a free demo today!

Scientific research is rapidly evolving. The traditional approaches to documenting seed and plant storage face inherent challenges that hinder efficiency and progress. This has sparked a transformative shift towards digital technologies that address these challenges and provide solutions.

Opting for an electronic storage system represents a strategic decision to streamline operations while enhancing the accuracy, accessibility, and longevity of valuable genetic resources.

In this blog, we'll delve into the impact of electronic technology, such as specimen management inventories, in revolutionising the entire process of managing critical data.

Meticulous Documentation is the Key to Success

Before transitioning into the digital realm, it's crucial to recognise the paramount importance of appropriate sample storage and management.

• Seeds and plants represent the foundation of agricultural and ecological studies, acting as reservoirs of genetic diversity.
• A precise record-keeping system ensures the preservation of this diversity for ground-breaking research, innovative breeding programs, and impactful conservation initiatives.

Essential Features of A Digital Seed and Plant Storage System

Exploring how a virtual documentation platform can revolutionise the research experience:

Electronic Databases: Your Gateway to Intelligent Sample Management

• An online inventory provides a seamlessly organised system on a centralised platform.
• Researchers can experience efficient input, management, and retrieval of specimen data. Everything from species characteristics to geographic origins and genetic information.
• Examples like GRIN and Genesys showcase the power of electronic databases in transforming the storage and accessibility of crucial data.

Barcode Technology: Precision In Every Scan

• Say goodbye to the tedious process of data entry and minimise the risk of manual errors with an efficient barcoding system.
• Every specimen is assigned a unique identity. This ensures quick and accurate identification, tracking, and management.

Climate-Controlled Storage with Sensor Integration: Preserving Nature’s Blueprint

• An electronic platform safeguards each specimen with climate-controlled conditions to ensure an optimal storage environment for seed integrity and viability.
• Real-time monitoring and integrated sensors provide an alert mechanism to promptly detect any deviations.

Mobile Applications: Empowering Researchers On The Go

• Transform your field research experience with cutting-edge mobile applications for on-the-go data capture.
• Information such as storage location, images, and associated notes can be recorded in the app and seamlessly synchronised with a centralised database.

Advantages of Digital Documentation

Efficiency and Time Savings

• An online system transforms time-consuming tasks such as manual record-keeping and data entry into an automated process.
• Researchers can focus on analysis and experimentation, which significantly boosts overall productivity.

Data Accuracy and Integrity

• Eliminate the risk of illegible handwriting and transcription errors with a paperless solution.
• A digital platform ensures the data linked to every plant and seed is accurate and reliable, which ensures the integrity of research outcomes.

Global Collaboration

• Overcome geographical barriers with the power of a system platform, enabling researchers to collaborate globally with ease.
• If appropriate, access to a centralised database could facilitate information exchange, fostering shared germplasm contribution to the global genetic resource pool.

Adaptability to Changing Technologies

• In the fast-paced world of scientific research, a digital documentation system can be easily updated and integrated with the latest tools and applications.
• This adaptability ensures that seed and plant storage practices remain at the forefront of scientific advancements.

Conclusion

The digital management of seed and plant storage represents a paradigm shift in scientific research practices. By embracing technological solutions, researchers and scientists can enhance work productivity and contribute to the global effort of preserving biodiversity and advancing agricultural and ecological knowledge.

As we continue to navigate the complexities of our ever-changing world, the virtual landscape offers a promising path for the sustainable management of genetic resources.

Elevate your research potential with an advanced electronic sample management platform. Embark on a new era of efficiency in the digital world today.

Congratulations, you’ve adopted an Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) and taken a significant step forward in streamlining your laboratory research! With your data organised and accessible in a digital format, you’re on your way to more efficient and collaborative scientific endeavours. However, having an ELN is just the beginning.

Previously, we’ve discussed the step-by-step process of implementing an ELN in a new or existing lab. In this blog, we’ll explore what comes next and how to make the most of this powerful digital tool.

Master the Basics

Before diving into the more advanced features, take the time to familiarise yourself with the basic functionalities of your ELN. Learn how to create and edit entries, organise folders, and attach files and images. Becoming proficient in these fundamental operations will lay a strong foundation for your ELN journey.

Explore Collaboration Tools

ELNs are designed to foster collaboration among researchers. Explore the collaboration features of your ELN, such as shared notebooks, comments, and version history. Collaborators can provide valuable feedback, contribute to experiments, or even take over when you’re away, ensuring continuity in your research.

Take Advantage of Integrations and Add-Ons

Taking advantage of ELN integrations and developed add-ons opens up a world of possibilities for researchers. Integrations with data analysis tools streamline data processing and enable real-time visualisation, empowering researchers to draw meaningful conclusions from their experiments. Additionally, utilising add-ons developed by the ELN provider can extend the platform’s capabilities, providing customised solutions for specific research needs, such as equipment scheduling, electronic signatures for compliance, or sample tracking tools. Embracing these integrations and add-ons maximises the potential of your ELN, making research more efficient, collaborative, and productive.

Set Up Custom Templates

Standardise, standardise, standardise! Tailor your ELN to suit your specific research needs by creating custom templates. Templates can simplify data entry and ensure consistent and standardised formatting across experiments. Consider templates for experimental protocols, project overviews, or data analysis sheets. Investing time in creating templates will save you time in the long run.

Stay Organised

With the ability to generate a vast amount of digital data, staying organised is crucial. Create a clear and intuitive folder structure for your experiments and data. Use tags and metadata to label and categorise entries efficiently. A well-organised ELN will make data retrieval and analysis a breeze.

Backup Regularly

Data is the lifeblood of scientific research, and losing it could be devastating. Always have a robust backup system for your ELN data to “future-proof” your research. Cloud-based solutions or server backups can protect your research from accidental deletions or hardware failures. Most cloud-based ELNs have reliable backup redundancy strategies to ensure your data is safe and secure.

Secure Your Data

As with any digital platform, data security is of utmost importance. Protect your ELN with strong passwords and multi-factor authentication. Ensure your ELN platform complies with relevant data protection regulations to safeguard sensitive research information.

Regularly Review and Revise

Periodically review your ELN entries and make necessary revisions. Keeping your ELN up-to-date and error-free will enhance the reliability of your research and prevent potential issues down the line.

Conclusion

As you navigate this new digital terrain, remember to master the basics, customise your ELN to suit your needs, embrace collaboration, stay organised, and prioritise data security. With the right approach, your ELN will become an invaluable companion in your scientific journey, accelerating your research and promoting collaboration within your team. Happy experimenting!

If you need resources to help you navigate these next steps, contact us today!

At eLabNext, everyone on our team truly loves interacting with our customers. We’re not saying this to be cheesy, we simply “do what we do” to help your lab and organisation succeed, whether you are at the beginning of your digitalisation journey or have been using eLabNext for the past decade. 

That’s why, when one of our customers, Ramzi Abbassi, Ph.D., joined the eLabNext team as a Lab Digitalisation Specialist, we were thrilled. Not only do we get to benefit from his scientific and digitalisation expertise, but we also get an in-depth understanding of what it was like to be a customer, which ultimately makes us better at supporting their needs.

“I’ve spent time in medical, life science, and engineering laboratories at the University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, and University of Oxford,” explains Ramzi. “As a member of the research support team at the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia (CCIA), I worked on ensuring institute-wide safety and compliance. These experiences have unveiled shared challenges that resonate within all of these distinct research communities.”

They also introduced him to the power of digitalisation, digital lab platforms, and, ultimately, eLabNext.

This week, we interviewed Ramzi to learn more about his background, insight into labs’ shared challenges with digitalisation, experience with eLabNext, and view on the future of lab digitalisation looks like. 

Common Lab Challenges 101

Ramzi’s academic journey led him to the quirks and inefficiencies of using non-digital, legacy systems in the modern research world. Later in his career, during Ramzi’s work at the CCIA, he was tasked with identifying a solution to some deeply ingrained institute-wide challenges. 

“The institute wanted to overcome some of the internal challenges with tracking compliance, mitigating risk with paper lab notebooks, and improving inventory and cold storage management,” explains Ramzi.

CCIA wasn’t the only organisation that Ramzi had seen experience these problems. Over the course of his Bachelor’s, Ph.D., and involvement with teaching and managing research operations, Ramzi has seen challenges fall into five distinct buckets.

Insufficient Data Infrastructure and Facilities

Ramzi saw lab managers and supervisors dedicate considerable efforts to ensure appropriate access to data, equipment, and inventories. However, a streamlined digital approach to managing access control remains a relatively untapped opportunity.

Difficulties Managing Compliance

Navigating the intricate landscape of research regulations and ethics committees’ requirements is a common challenge. Despite modern labs boasting cutting-edge instruments and technology, the absence of widely used digital platforms for managing safety protocols poses a collective hurdle. 

The lack of secure and accessible audit trails, coupled with the inability to generate custom reports, particularly concerning chemical and biological hazards, leads to manual and error-prone management, resulting in potentially unsafe laboratories or practices,” says Ramzi.

Documentation Challenges

Ramzi experienced the difficulties of mixed paper and digital record-keeping systems. Coexisting paper lab books and internal servers introduce inefficiencies and risks, with security concerns over non-digital records. Siloed electronic lab notebook systems compound the problem due to a lack of interoperability with research equipment, samples and limited customisation.

Non-standardised Protocols

Ramzi also saw the absence of standardised protocols contributed to experimental inconsistencies and wastage. Ensuring that researchers consistently work with the latest approved versions of protocols is challenging due to the lack of a digital approval process.

Resource Waste

For many labs, data loss, double ordering, and difficulty tracking samples in freezers (which can lead to reduced freezer longevity and increased energy expenditure due to door-open times) are all common problems. 

“This resource wastage is a recurring issue exacerbated by the lack of transparency and inefficient non-digitised processes,” comments Ramzi.

Finding Digital Solutions

As mentioned above, many of these problems have digital solutions. While Ramzi was working at the CCIA, he conducted a thorough exploration of various digital lab platforms and identified eLabNext as a solution that ultimately made laboratory operations more streamlined and efficient.

“eLabNext’s responsiveness, often within six hours despite the time zone difference between Australia and the EU/US, demonstrated a commitment to support,” Ramzi recalls. “The team facilitated online calls, guiding us through implementation, testing, and rollout, and remained receptive to incorporating changes we deemed necessary.”

A lot more factors also went into CCIA’s decision to choose eLabNext. For one, the platform offered a comprehensive suite, including eLabJournal, eLabInventory, and eLabProtocols, ensuring a holistic solution to CCIA’s diverse laboratory needs.

“eLabNext emerged as the optimal choice due to its strong cybersecurity measures, cost-effectiveness, responsive customer support, robust product roadmap, and commitment to interoperability,” adds Ramzi. “Its adherence to ISO 27001 standards, support for GxP compliance, focus on research integrity, and custom legal agreements were key factors that aligned perfectly with the institute’s requirements.”

Making Digitalisation a Reality

Once eLabNext’s full suite of tools (eLabJournal, which includes both eLabInventory and eLabProtocols) was implemented at CCIA, eLabJournal enabled the improvement of data organisation and accessibility, compliance, collaboration and efficiency. 

“Over time, the perception of the product only improved as its long-term benefits were realised, including enhanced research integrity, interoperability, and future connectivity with research hardware using Internet of Things (IoT) protocols,” explains Ramzi.

The seamless integration of eLabJournal with eLabInventory and the possibilities presented by eLabMarketplace were particularly impactful. The implementation challenges were effectively addressed with eLabNext’s support, including the advice for a phased rollout and easy setup and installation of a dedicated private cloud.

The Jump Onto eLabNext’s team

Ramzi’s transition from being a client of eLabNext to joining the eLabNext team happened when the CCIA requested an eLabNext support team member to be present in their geographical location. This request aligned with eLabNext’s strategy: To provide customer support in clients’ local time zones. 

Ramzi ended up being the perfect fit for such a position. 

“Being part of both sides of the equation has allowed me to connect with everyone I’ve encountered in my research career, from researchers to biotech founders in Australia,” Ramzi describes. “It’s been a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with those addressing real-world problems and to leverage my unique perspective to help eLabNext’s clients in Australia, New Zealand, and the greater Asia Pacific.”

The Future of Lab Digitalisation

As Ramzi continues to support eLabNext users with his digital and scientific expertise, he, along with the entire eLabNext team, is looking toward the future of lab digitalisation. 

“In the short term, I envision lab digitalisation becoming increasingly integrated with AI and machine learning, enabling smarter data analysis and automation of routine tasks,” speculates Ramzi. “Innovations like eLabNext’s add-ons – Pipsqueak Pro, AI Protocol Generator, Immunomind, and mpVision, are already paving the way for more intelligent and efficient lab operations.” Further out, Ramzi thinks that lab digitalisation may evolve to encompass virtual labs and immersive technologies, transforming the way we conduct experiments and collaborate globally.

Eppendorf and eLabNext’s strategic vision to deepen their integration into the Eppendorf ecosystem heralds an epoch of synchronised research excellence, propelling laboratories towards heightened efficiency, collaboration, and a sustainable digital future of scientific exploration and innovation.

To learn more about lab digitalisation in Life Science and Biotech Research, check out this Eppendorf Lab Channel webinar, “Digitalisation in Life Science and Biotech Research.”

As an academic or industry scientist, no matter how large or small your research group is, the legal implications of your everyday work may be one of the furthest things from your mind. In the short term, you’ve got experiments to plan, funding to apply for, budgets to manage, and data to analyse.

But, while you’re focused on your “to-do” list for the week, there are long-term legal repercussions for everything you do. For instance, the experimental results and analyses you perform and record today can have far-reaching implications for intellectual property (IP) protection and future patent disputes over the timing of discovery. With the most recent events of former Harvard President Claudine Gay's resignation around allegations of plagiarism, it is imperative to discuss the legal expectations in the scientific world, whether it is in R&D, clinical trials, or drug discovery. 

Digitalising lab operations and implementing a defined Digital Lab Strategy has become a key step in “future-proofing” labs against legal complications, data loss, accidental or purposeful plagiarism, and procedural inefficiencies. While operating without digitalisation in a laboratory may not intrinsically lead to legal problems, there are several potential challenges and risks that can arise. These difficulties aren’t limited to paper-based record keeping but include inflexible digital platforms that aren’t tailored to the lab environment.

Data Security and Privacy Concerns

Paper-based records are more vulnerable to physical theft or unauthorised access than digital data. Failure to adequately protect sensitive information can result in legal consequences, especially if there are ISO or other regulations in place, such as GDPR or HIPAA, that mandate the protection of personal or sensitive data.

Alternatively, some labs may use a combination of digital tools that aren’t tailored to the laboratory environment. While these can be useful, some may not offer the security to keep sensitive data safe or protect against cyberattacks. Unpredictable events, such as natural disasters, may lead to data loss if data is stored in a paper format or digitally on a local network.

Documentation and Record Keeping

Inaccurate or incomplete manual records may lead to regulatory compliance issues. Audits and inspections by regulatory bodies are common in highly regulated environments and may be more challenging without organised and easily accessible digital records. Paper lab notebooks are not fully traceable and present challenges with linking data to specific instruments or equipment. Even digital platforms that some researchers use to record lab operations, such as OneNote, may not comply with 21 CFR Part 11 regulations, which lay out criteria for electronic records and signatures.  

Data Management

Paper-based record-keeping can create problems with retrieving, analysing, and interpreting data. Digital tools not tailored to the laboratory environment can make managing data, from creation to archival, slower and more error-prone. Without digital tools that are made for the data-heavy lab environment, research groups cannot demonstrate data integrity and traceability, which could pose compliance issues.

Reporting and Compliance

The regulatory environment is constantly changing. When using paper or piecemeal software tools, it can be difficult to generate timely and accurate reports required for compliance or to keep up with the ever-changing regulatory requirements. Flexible, customisable, and searchable digital lab platforms can help with this, particularly if bulk changes need to be made across multiple reports or notebook entries. 

Collaboration and Communication

Establishing and maintaining collaborations using paper-based notebook entries requires manual, time-consuming, and inefficient tasks. First, paper notebooks aren’t easily searchable, making finding specific entries or data difficult. Once found, entries must be scanned or copied to transmit electronically to a collaborator. Lack of efficient communication channels can lead to misunderstandings or delays in decision-making. With digital lab platforms, sharing and controlling entry permissions is as easy as a Google Doc. 

Intellectual Property Protection

Using paper lab notebooks can lead to IP problems due to the inherent risks of loss, damage, or unauthorised access. Paper records may be easily misplaced or damaged, resulting in the permanent loss of crucial experimental data, which can impact the claims made in patent applications or scientific publications. 

Additionally, the lack of version control in paper notebooks may make establishing the timeline of discoveries challenging, potentially leading to disputes over priority and ownership of intellectual property. Embracing electronic lab notebooks with secure access controls and data backup features can mitigate these risks and provide a more robust framework for protecting valuable intellectual property.

Conclusion

Laboratories need to assess their specific needs and regulatory requirements and determine how much digitalisation can address the legal challenges discussed above. Implementing an appropriate digital lab platform can help mitigate risks and enhance overall efficiency and compliance in laboratory operations.

To learn more about eLabNext and how our digital lab platform can help protect you from future legal trouble, read our report, “The Legal Implications of an Un-Digitized Lab,” or book a personal demo today.

Signature Workflows Add-on

The new Signature Workflow add-on allows you to set up an experiment signing workflow with multiple witnesses who must give their approval signatures. There is no limit to the number of approval steps.

Depending on your settings, every approval step will have to be performed by any of the collaborators of an experiment, a specific user or someone with a specific user role. Only after completing all approval steps will the experiment be marked as completed. Signature Workflows are assigned on the project level. This is a paid add-on, but you can sign up for a free 30-day trial.

AI Protocol Generation Add-on

Are you tired of manually creating lab protocols? Try our AI Protocol Generation add-on! Simply enter a few words describing your experiment and let AI do the rest.

Reports

From within the system admin panel, it is now possible to create a wide variety of reports, allowing you to gain insights into object creation, usage, and activity within your system. To access these report options, go to the system admin panel and access the reports section via the system dropdown menu.

Multi-select Compartments

Bulk selection of compartments is now available in the Inventory V2 Beta. This way, batch actions can be performed on the selected compartments, such as moving, deleting and printing ZPL labels if using V2.0.01 of the ZPL print add-on.

Select Multiple Samples in Experiments

Inventory V2 Beta has now been linked with the Journal. Browsing for samples via a used- or generated sample section within your experiment can now be done with the renewed Inventory. One great feature that has been added is the ability to select samples from multiple compartments. All selected samples are shown via the ‘Selected’ tab.

Archiving Reason for Samples

Another highly requested feature that has been implemented in the Inventory V2 Beta is the feature of adding an archive reason for deleted samples. By default, this is optional, but with the newly added group policy, entering an archiving reason can be enforced on group level.

If you have any questions or feedback, please don't hesitate to contact us.

I’m going to tell you a secret that will revolutionize the way you go about your day-to-day laboratory activities. As you may have guessed from the title, improving organization and increasing efficiency in the lab can be achieved by leveraging the Lean Sigma 5S program and robust inventory management software. Now, you’re probably asking yourself, “What the heck is 5S, and how does it relate to inventory management software?” In the following blog, you’ll find all the answers you need!

What is the 5S Program?
Working in a cluttered, disorganized lab setting can be frustrating. On top of making operations difficult, it can have far-reaching impacts on productivity and finances! I’ve learned that working in a disjointed environment produces low-quality work and wasted time, which has adverse emotional effects. The 5S program is a fundamental element of Lean Sigma, a methodology that seeks to eliminate waste and improve organizational efficiency. The 5S program involves five steps to help organizations create and maintain a clean, organized workplace.

The five steps are:

1. Sort: The first step is to sort through all the items in the workplace and determine which are necessary and which are not. Unnecessary items should be removed, freeing up space and reducing clutter.
2. Set in Order: The second step is logically arranging the remaining items. This involves identifying the most efficient location for each item and labeling or marking storage spaces to make it easy for employees to find what they need.
3. Shine: The third step is to clean the workplace thoroughly. This involves removing all dirt and grime and ensuring that equipment is maintained properly and in good working condition.
4. Standardize: The fourth step is establishing clear standards for how the workplace should be organized and maintained. This involves creating guidelines and checklists for employees to follow.
5. Sustain: The fifth and final step is to make the 5S program an ongoing process integrated into the organization’s culture. This involves training employees, monitoring progress, and continually improving the program.

Overall, the 5S program is a simple yet effective way to improve workplace efficiency and productivity by creating a clean and organized environment.

How Does Using 5S Improve Inventory Management?
The 5S program can be applied to inventory management in many lab settings to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and increase accuracy. Here are some ways to use the 5S program to improve inventory management:

1. Sort: In inventory management, sorting involves identifying slow-moving or obsolete items and removing them from the inventory, freeing up valuable storage space and reducing inventory costs.
2. Set in Order: The remaining inventory should be arranged logically once unnecessary items have been removed. This can involve grouping items by type, size, or frequency of use. Labeling or marking storage locations can also help employees quickly locate needed items.
3. Shine: Regular cleaning and maintenance of the inventory storage area can prevent damage to items and reduce the risk of lost or misplaced inventory. Cleaning can also help identify items that are damaged or no longer needed.
4. Standardize: Developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for inventory management can help ensure that inventory is consistently stored, labeled, and tracked. SOPs can also help identify any issues or areas for improvement.
5. Sustain: Regular training and monitoring can help ensure that the 5S program is consistently followed for inventory management. This can also provide opportunities for continuous improvement by identifying and addressing any issues that arise.

How to Leverage the 5S Program with Inventory Management Software
Incorporating the 5S Lean Sigma program with inventory management software can help organizations further streamline their inventory management processes. Here are some ways to incorporate the 5S program with inventory management software:

1. Sort: An inventory management software can help easily identify lesser-used inventory items. By analyzing data such as sales history and inventory turnover rates, the software can generate reports to help determine which items should be removed from the inventory.
2. Set in Order: Inventory management software allows customizable fields to be set up to track items by type, size, or frequency of use. It can also provide features for automatic labeling or marking of inventory items.
3. Shine: An inventory management software can assist with regular cleaning and maintenance of the inventory storage area. The software can generate reports to identify items that are damaged or no longer needed. It can also be used to track maintenance and cleaning schedules.
4. Standardize: An inventory management software can establish SOPs for inventory management. These procedures can include guidelines for storing, labeling, and tracking inventory items. The software can also be used to enforce these procedures and ensure that they are being followed.
5. Sustain: An inventory management software can provide regular training and monitoring to ensure the 5S program is consistently followed. The software can generate reports that track adherence to the 5S program and identify areas for improvement.

By incorporating the 5S program with inventory management software, your lab can streamline and automate many of the tasks involved in the 5S program, making it easier to maintain a clean, organized, and efficient inventory storage area.

Conclusion
Organizational techniques and tools like the 5S program and inventory management software are essential to maintaining a clean and efficient lab environment. The 5S program, with its five fundamental steps, offers a straightforward yet highly effective approach to cultivating a clean and organized workplace. These principles can be seamlessly applied to inventory management, reducing waste, enhancing accuracy, and saving your organization valuable resources. I can tell you firsthand that these tools are life-changing and will make all the difference in operating your business. If you want to learn how eLabNext can transform your lab’s operations, contact us!

‍

Agri-tech, or ag-tech, is a rapidly evolving field focused on utilising advanced technologies to increase agricultural productivity and sustainability. It is a booming market filled with R&D scientists looking to provide more farmers with tools and technologies to improve crop yields, make plants resistant to insects and harsh weather, and increase nutritional value. 

With such ambitious goals comes the "stalk-high" task of creating efficient and optimised laboratory workflows that drive progress. What are the critical technologies needed to manage such an undertaking? And, just as important, how do you sync them to work effectively? In this blog, we'll highlight the importance of running a centralised agri-tech lab, some of the essential technologies in the industry, and how to integrate them all. 

The Dangers of De-Centralized Data

The issue many agri-tech labs face is that much of the vast data being generated is siloed (pun intended) between several stand-alone software platforms, incapable of communicating with one another. This hinders efficiency, reproducibility, and scalability. The backbone of an efficient lab is a single, unified environment for managing all aspects of laboratory operations, from sample tracking and data management to reporting and analysis. Let's look at the key technologies in agri-tech and the features to look for in streamlining those workflows.

Key Technologies for Agri-Tech

Molecular-Based Testing

Genotyping, marker-assisted breeding, and GMO testing provide ways to identify traits that would otherwise be impossible to select based on phenotype alone. Researchers use this to develop new crops with higher yields or improved nutritional value. 

• Real-World Example: Development of golden rice or better seed germination in forages like millet.
• Necessary Software Feature to Have: Visualise genetic sequences and allow for lab-wide collaboration among scientists.

Proteomics

Proteomics can be used to identify proteins that are involved in specific biological processes, such as plant stress response, nutrient uptake, metabolism, or insect resistance. This information is used to develop crops that grow in new environments or new pesticides that target specific proteins. 

• Real-world Example: Aphid control in sorghum crops or canola cultivation in colder environments.
• Necessary Software Feature to Have: Fully customisable metadata fields with advanced search functions for real-time reporting.

Bioimaging & Phenotyping

Visualising biological structures at the molecular level shows how phenotypes emerge from cellular-level traits. These technologies identify and characterise desirable characteristics to study the effects of different fertilisers or pesticides on plant growth.

• Real-world Example: Disease resistance in cassava or less pesticide usage in soybean. 
• Necessary Software Feature to Have: See the full history of a sample with parent-child sample relationships and see clone lineage quickly.

Soil, Feed, Fertiliser, and Water Analysis

Crops cannot flourish without the right ecological factors in place. Physical and chemical analysis of these components can be used to optimise crop yields, improve plant health, and ensure food safety. 

• Real-World Example: Growing wheat or corn in extreme weather or ecological conditions.
• Necessary Software Feature to Have: The ability to send out to third-party chemical testing companies for analysis.

Let Your Agri-Tech Laboratory Bloom

The technologies available to agri-tech labs have grown by leaps and bounds, but traditional software used in the lab has not. Don't let outdated lab software hinder your agri-tech lab's growth. Discover how eLabNext's digital lab platform can elevate your research work, improve efficiency, and ensure compliance. 

Take the first step to enhance your lab's performance with our personal demo or a free 30-day trial.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of modern science and medicine, two groundbreaking innovations have taken centre stage: stem cells and organoids. These tiny powerhouses have immense potential to revolutionise how we approach healthcare, disease research, and regenerative therapies.

However, harnessing their potential requires scientific ingenuity and a keen understanding of how to safely handle and store these invaluable biological resources and associated metadata.

The Promise of Stem Cells

Stem cells are unspecialised cells with the remarkable ability to develop into specialised cell types. This versatility makes them invaluable in regenerative medicine, disease modelling, and drug discovery.

Regenerative Medicine

Stem cells hold the key to regenerating damaged or diseased tissues and organs. Whether repairing a damaged heart after a heart attack or restoring nerve function after a spinal cord injury, stem cells offer the potential for groundbreaking medical treatments.

Disease Modeling

Stem cells can be reprogrammed to mimic various diseases, allowing scientists to study the underlying causes, test potential treatments, and gain deeper insights into conditions like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and diabetes.

Drug Development

Pharmaceutical companies can use stem cells to screen potential drug compounds for safety and efficacy, potentially speeding up the drug development process and reducing the need for animal testing. Stem cells are also used in other areas of the drug development pipeline, including target discovery and toxicity screening.

Organoids: Mini Organs with Big Potential

Organoids can be created using a patient's cells, providing a unique platform for personalised medicine. This allows scientists to develop tailored treatments and therapies for individuals based on their genetic makeup.

Personalised Medicine

Organoids can be created using a patient's cells, providing a unique platform for personalized medicine. This allows scientists to develop tailored treatments and therapies for individuals based on their genetic makeup.

Disease Research

They offer a closer approximation to human organs than traditional cell cultures, making them ideal for studying disease mechanisms, screening drugs, and understanding patient-specific treatment responses.

Reduced Reliance on Animal Models

Compared to some animal testing methods, organoids are more ethically sound and offer a humane alternative for research and testing purposes.

Safe Handling and Storage of Stem Cells and Organoids

Given the tremendous potential of stem cells and organoids, handling and storing them with care is crucial. Here are some key considerations:

Sterile Environment

All stem cell and organoid procedures should be performed in a sterile laboratory environment to prevent contamination.

Temperature Control

Both stem cells and organoids are temperature-sensitive. They should be stored in specialised freezers or liquid nitrogen tanks to ensure long-term viability.

Record-Keeping

Thorough documentation is essential. Keeping detailed records of the source, type, and handling of stem cells and organoids is crucial for quality control and research reproducibility. With organoids, several tumour organoid biobanks have been established to advance cancer research globally. This emphasises the importance of thorough documentation of activities, procedures, and processes to ensure reproducibility.

Ethical and Legal Compliance

Researchers must adhere to ethical guidelines and legal regulations governing the use of stem cells and organoids. This includes obtaining proper consent for cell or tissue donation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the significance of stem cells and organoids in modern science is undeniable. Their potential to transform medicine and research is virtually limitless. However, with this immense promise comes a responsibility to handle and store these valuable resources safely and ethically. As we continue to unlock their potential, we are moving closer to a future where personalized medicine and regenerative therapies become a reality for countless individuals.

For more information on specialised freezers and other accessories, why not check out the extensive range at Eppendorf? To see how eLabNext can advance your stem cell or organoid research, documentation, and sample storage, schedule a personal demonstration today.

Making the right purchasing decisions in a laboratory can dramatically improve operations and productivity. But, deciding what to purchase requires thoroughly understanding your many interconnected factors.

When deciding between investing in a laboratory notebook or inventory software versus getting new laboratory equipment, it's crucial to approach the choice with a friendly evaluation of your lab's unique needs, goals, and limitations. 

Here are several reasons why leaning toward digital tools might be a wise move.

Improved Data Management and Organization

Laboratory notebooks and lab inventory software can be lifesavers when managing and organising your data. They make recording and accessing data a breeze, reducing the chances of data loss, errors, or misplacement. This is a big deal in keeping your research data squeaky clean and traceable.

A new piece of equipment will expand your technical capabilities. But it will also generate more data. And if you don't already have a solution for data management and organisation, it could further exacerbate your current challenges.

Enhanced Collaboration and Sharing

Digital lab tools offer the fantastic benefit of real-time collaboration and easy information sharing among your team, even if they're scattered around the globe. This boosts teamwork and productivity, which may not be as smooth with new equipment alone.

Stricter Regulatory Compliance

Many research fields have rigid rules about data retention and compliance. Lab notebooks and inventory software come with features that make it easier to meet these requirements, such as auditing, version control, and electronic signatures.

More Cost-Efficiency

Let's face it; new lab equipment can break the bank and often comes with additional costs for maintenance and operation. On the flip side, lab software solutions usually have lower upfront costs and can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Logical Resource Allocation

Your lab might already have all the equipment you need to carry out experiments. Prioritising software for data management and inventory ensures you're making the best use of what you've got before splurging on more gadgets.

Future-Proofing

Digital tools are like chameleons; they adapt to your changing research needs and the latest technologies. They're versatile and can grow with new features, which is only sometimes the case with physical equipment.

Better Time Savings

Effective data management and inventory software can free up a ton of time researchers would otherwise spend on tedious manual record-keeping and hunting for items in the lab. Without a software solution, new equipment will add to these burdensome tasks.

Supportive Decision Making

Lab software often comes with cool features for analysis and reporting, which can help with decision-making and designing experiments more efficiently.

Going Green

Getting new lab equipment can have a significant impact on the environment, from energy use to waste production. Opting for software solutions can be a more eco-friendly choice.

Stronger Training and Skill Development

Investing in software can also be a great opportunity to boost the skills of your lab team. They can become proficient in digital tools and data management, a valuable asset in modern scientific research.

Making the Right Decision for Your Lab

Remember, the key is to make your buying decisions only after carefully evaluating your lab's needs and goals. New equipment might be necessary to meet ongoing project objectives in some situations. The choice between lab software and equipment should be based on what your lab specifically requires. You can find a sweet spot by considering lab software and equipment in your investment plan.

If you're looking for a digital lab platform, Contact eLabNext to learn more about our software solutions.

Keeping track of critical samples, reagents, and data is necessary for the efficient operations of any laboratory. And if your lab has been operating for a while, you and your colleagues have likely developed a process for managing all of this essential laboratory "stuff."  

So, how's that process working out for you? 

Are their issues that waste time and money and result in misplaced samples or data? 

I've seen many labs manage their samples, reagents, and data using traditional paper lab notebooks, which can be cumbersome, disorganised, and difficult to search. By contrast, electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) offer a modern, digital solution to these problems by allowing researchers to store, organise, and share data digitally.

Previously, we discussed implementing an ELN in a brand-new lab. However, those in labs that are already up and running face a more significant challenge: Changing "business as usual" for a more cost- and time-efficient process. This blog will tackle implementing an ELN in an existing lab.

Step 1: Evaluate Your Needs

Before selecting an ELN, evaluating your lab's needs is important. Consider the following questions:

• What types of experiments will you be conducting?
•  What data will you need to record?
•  How do you want this data organised?
•  How will you share data with colleagues and collaborators?
•  Will you need to integrate with existing laboratory information management systems (LIMS)?
•  How many users will need access to the ELN?
•  What is your budget?

Answering these questions will help you determine which ELN solution is right for your lab. Be sure to check in with everyone in your lab, understand their needs, and discuss what an ELN needs to accomplish for them to use it. 

Step 2: Choose an ELN

Once you've evaluated your lab's needs, it's time to select an ELN that fills those needs. Many options are available, from free and open-source solutions to enterprise-level platforms with advanced features. To navigate your selection process, it may be beneficial to create an evaluation checklist. The evaluation checklist should be separated into phases to reflect your decision-making process. 

Here is a simplified evaluation checklist that can help you narrow down your selections:

Phase 1

• Identify multiple ELN vendors from which to choose

Phase 2

• Identify if any other departments are currently using an ELN
• Contact IT and your procurement department to outline various policies for purchasing

Phase 3

• Setup an ELN task force
• Setup regular meetings to discuss progress on ELN selection

Phase 4

• Interview and demo different ELN platforms
• Sign up for trials (if offered)
• Generate a list of must-haves and questions
• Take notes!

Phase 5

• Define the current and future scope of the ELN
• Outline the number of users needed
• Cross-reference various ELN capabilities with your list of must-haves
• Outline the funding source for your ELN

Phase 6

• Evaluate your short list of vendors based on results from previous phases
• Narrow down your selection to 1-3 vendors
• Make a selection based on price vs. capabilities, working relationship with ELN vendor, and overall ease of implementation in your existing lab

Step 3: Set Up the ELN

Once you've selected an ELN, you'll need to set it up for your lab. This will typically involve the following steps:

• Create user accounts for all lab members who will need access to the ELN.
•  Establish permissions and access controls for different levels of users.
•  Define the lab's data structure, including naming conventions, folder organisation, and subfolders.
•  Set up templates for different types of experiments or data entries to ensure consistency.
•  Configure any integrations with existing LIMS or other laboratory software (Bonus if your ELN comes with a fully integrated LIMS!)

Step 4: Train Lab Members

Training lab members to use the ELN effectively is crucial once the ELN is set up. This should include:

• An overview of the ELN's features and capabilities.
•  Instructions on how to create and organise entries.
•  Best data entry practices include using consistent naming conventions and recording detailed notes.
•  Guidelines for sharing data and collaborating with other lab members.

If the ELN vendor offers training and onboarding for key users and lab members, we highly recommend learning as much as possible from them.

Step 5: Monitor and Maintain the ELN

Once the ELN is up and running, monitoring and maintaining it is important to ensure it remains organised and effective. This may include:

• Regularly reviewing data entries to ensure they are complete and accurate.
•  Updating templates and naming conventions as needed to improve consistency.
•  Troubleshooting any issues or errors with the ELN.
•  Staying up-to-date with software updates and security patches.

Implementing an electronic lab notebook can be a significant investment of time and resources, but the benefits of improved organisation, collaboration, and data management are well worth it! Following these steps, you can successfully implement an ELN in your existing lab and take your research to the next level!

Contact eLabNext today to learn more about implementing our digital lab platform in your lab.

Here at eLabNext, we support you at every step in your journey with our Digital Lab Platform, from implementation to scaling usage and expanding functionality! We understand that investing in a long-term commitment to lab management software like this requires trust and confidence, so our ultimate goal is to provide an exceptional customer experience.

To ensure our Support Desk meets or exceeds your expectations, we have implemented the SMART approach, a proven tool for planning and achieving goals, which means solving your problem. SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound and provides a clear framework for creating trackable goals that align with your needs and our objectives.

In this blog post, I’ll share how I use the SMART approach to illustrate how we consistently achieve remarkable outcomes when supporting our customers. 

Let’s take it one letter at a time…

“S” is for Specific

When a ticket comes into our Support Desk, my first priority is understanding the nature of the request. I carefully analyse each ticket and sort them into one of three categories – bugs, requests, or questions – each requiring a different approach.

Bugs

If the ticket pertains to a bug – an error in the software causing unexpected results or unintended behaviour – my goal is to recreate the issue to pinpoint the root cause. To achieve this, I involve the customer in troubleshooting actions to determine whether it is a local or platform-related problem. Once I have successfully diagnosed and reproduced the bug, I escalate the ticket to our developers for resolution.

Requests

Requests can be classified into two types: feature requests and improvement requests. A feature request involves a customer requesting the addition of a new feature that currently does not exist in the platform. An improvement request, on the other hand, suggests changing or enhancing an existing feature. For these types of tickets, my goal is to submit them to our development team via our project management platform, JIRA, for careful review and consideration. Feature requests are prioritised based on the number of customers requesting them, guiding our implementation decisions.

Questions 

Questions we receive usually revolve around product usage. To address these, I aim to help customers understand and utilise the features effectively. I try to make my responses clear and easily understood by including visual aids such as relevant pages from our Documentation section or step-by-step actions with screenshots. 

“M” is for Measurable

I employ several strategies to measure customer satisfaction with the quality of their support experience. Before closing any ticket, I always ask for written confirmation from the customer that the issue has been resolved. Suppose the customer stops responding to messages at any point. In that case, I issue a series of follow-up emails to either re-engage them in the troubleshooting process or verify that their initial request has been satisfied.

I’ll also place bugs or feature request tickets that have been escalated to our developers “on hold” while they are being reviewed. When our development team resolves the issue, we promptly provide a follow-up email to inform the customer of the resolution or implementation. 

Once a ticket has been officially closed, our system automatically sends a satisfaction survey to the customer. These surveys provide direct feedback on the customer’s experience and identify areas where we can improve our service offerings. 

“A” is for Achievable

We ensure that our goals are achievable by implementing a well-defined resolution process for each type of request. For reported bugs, we have a systematic approach to diagnosing and resolving the issue. I ask the customer to perform standard troubleshooting actions. Suppose these do not immediately resolve the problem. In that case, I gather all the necessary information to investigate the issue and escalate the ticket to our Technical Support team to diagnose the root cause. The Technical Support team ranks the issues by severity to ensure that the most critical problems are prioritised first in the queue.

Our developers carefully review each feature request suggestion to determine its feasibility. Requests are ranked based on the resources required to build the feature and its potential impact on the entire eLabNext community. If multiple customer requests for a particular feature exist, we raise its priority within the development queue to deliver these high-interest improvements more quickly.

“R” is for Relevant

Ensuring their relevance to our customers is crucial in effectively addressing their needs and concerns when evaluating tickets. To determine the relevance of request tickets, we follow a comprehensive process that starts with fully understanding what the customer wants to achieve. I carefully analyse if their goal can already be accomplished within our platform. If so, I notify the customer of the pre-existing solution or a workaround to achieve the same result. 

However, if the solution does not currently exist, I meticulously evaluate the ticket to assess its alignment with our goals and its importance before passing it on to our developer. We value the feedback of our entire eLabNext community, so as more customers request a specific feature or enhancement, the relevance gauge for that particular ticket increases. This guides our development team in their decision-making process to implement features accordingly. 

“T” is for Time-bound

While we strive to resolve all requests as quickly as possible, specific organisations may require faster responses due to the nature of their industry or compliance standards. eLabNext offers a choice of three support tiers within its Service Level Agreement (SLA): Bronze, Silver, or Gold. Based on the customer’s SLA tier, I prioritise responses to their tickets to expedite the diagnosis and resolution of issues these customers face.

Conclusion

By following this SMART approach, I try to deliver exceptional support and ensure our customers have a positive and fulfilling experience with our platform. Your satisfaction is my top priority! So, if you have any questions or need to submit a request, please don’t hesitate to contact our Support Desk at support@elabnext.com, and I’ll be happy to assist you!

Large pharma companies know what tools they need to succeed and (generally) go out and get them. Why are start-ups and small academic labs hesitant to do the same? Is it just a matter of fewer financial resources? 

From what I’ve seen talking to labs, big and small, there’s more than just money at play…

Setting Your Lab Up For Success with Lab Essentials

To succeed as a research lab in academia or industry, you need a minimum set of supplies, instruments, reagents, kits, and other tools. In the life sciences, for example, everyone doing bench work in your lab will likely need a set of pipettes for accurate liquid handling. Without them, it may be nearly impossible for your lab to operate. If budgets are tight, you may skip the expensive programmable models and use a manual pipette. But no one working in a lab today would skip manual pipettes and choose to pipette by mouth to save additional budget. 

That’s an unsustainable, inaccurate, and unsafe recipe for disaster!

It doesn’t take much arguing to convince modern-day researchers that mouth pipetting is a bad idea. But there are other categories of lab necessities that are as antiquated as mouth pipetting yet still widely used and accepted.

Paper vs. Digital Sample Management: Beyond Budget

Every week, I speak to start-ups or small academic lab researchers who feel that paper lab notebooks and spreadsheets are a smart, budget-friendly solution for tracking and managing samples. They don’t realize that this outdated data management system costs them more money in the long term than software solutions like a digital lab platform.

One of the most common reasons I hear from executives and lab heads for not considering a digital solution is:

“We’re still in early-stage research and don’t really need it yet,”

It’s the “really” that always catches my attention. There’s some uncertainty nestled in their statement. The inclusion of “really” suggests that the person I’m meeting with hasn’t fully convinced themselves that they don’t need a digital platform for sample management. Simultaneously (and ironically), they’re trying to convince me. 

The other common objection I hear is: 

“We’re a new lab and haven’t fully established our processes yet.” 

Wouldn’t an effective workflow for data entry, management, and retrieval be the kind of process you would want to establish early in lab operations? If you don’t do it now, your team will have to break old habits when you finally switch, which will be much more complex. Establishing new processes is the perfect time to adopt new software. The software supports the process and helps to enforce the new desired behavior.

The Hidden Enemy of Laboratory Success: Imposter Syndrome

So, what’s with the excuses?

In the life sciences, we pride ourselves on approaching problems with total objectivity. 

But, in reality, we are still human, with our own biases, fears, and emotions. In the case of sample management, the truth is that many researchers feel they haven’t “earned the right” to use modern lab digitization software for sample management, record keeping, etc. That sentiment is just beneath the surface of the excuses described above. 

Statements such as “We’re too small” or “We’re not there yet” are different facets of the same self-doubt. What these arguments boil down to is something akin to imposter syndrome. 

Imposter syndrome can take on many forms, but it generally means a feeling of being a “fraud” or not being worthy of success. In the context of this article, “success” is having access to all of the same tools that a larger organization would use to do the same work. 

Just because you’re at a small lab or start-up today doesn’t mean you plan to stay small. You must surround yourself with the tools of success to reach your goals. You are worthy of using effective data management software now. 

Yes, even on a budget. 

Yes, even if you’re a one-woman startup. 

It’s never too early to start using the tools that will help you save money and time and ultimately support your success. 

Conclusion

Don’t let imposter syndrome cloud your objective reasoning and force you into a fear-based decision. Find software that allows you to start small (and inexpensive!) but will grow with you over time – as both your headcount and the scope of your work expands.

There are software options out there that:

• Will lay a strong foundation for your data management by digitizing your processes and preventing data fragmentation;
• Are easy to use;
• Can effortlessly be configured to adapt to your specific workflows, both now and in the future;
• And will provide the regulatory compliance you might need in the future.

If you’ll excuse me for butchering the analogy, stop trying to pipette your data by mouth. Choose the right tool for your lab. You deserve it!

To learn more about how eLabNext can help you establish the best sample management process for your lab, get in touch with us here today.

"Why can't I just use Microsoft OneNote as an electronic lab notebook (ELN)?"

It’s a question we hear a lot at eLabNext from various future customers who have made their very first steps on their digital journey. This question is often quickly followed by the question, “Why would we pay more money for an ELN or laboratory sample information storage (LIMS) system if OneNote or Excel can do it?"

Yes, some in our scientific community have adopted the note-taking software OneNote (and other Microsoft programs like Excel) for data acquisition, presentation, sharing, and more.¹ Some even prefer the functionalities of OneNote to ELNs designed for laboratory environments.²

For the basic functions, you may prefer OneNote, but if you need to optimise your laboratory processes or ensure compliance in several different regulatory environments as you scale and move into biotech or pharma manufacturing, then please read on to learn why OneNote is not an adequate solution for biotech start-ups, academic institutions, or even larger biotechs, CROs or pharmaceutical companies.

In the blog below, we’ll show why you might prefer an ELN dedicated to the scientific process over OneNote and save you from future data migration or compliance challenges.

1. Scientific-Specific Features

ELNs are designed with scientific research in mind, offering specialised features tailored to laboratory workflows. They often include functionalities such as experimental templates, structured data entry, integration with other laboratory software and instructions, metadata capture, and data analysis capabilities. These features are essential for effectively organising and analysing scientific data, which may not be present or as comprehensive in OneNote. Microsoft offers templates for the note-taking program; however, these take additional effort to implement and tailor for specific scientific applications. With an ELN dedicated to science, there is a framework built around the storage, retrieval, and sharing of protocols, samples, data, metadata, and more.

2. Regulatory Compliance

Biotech research often involves compliance with regulatory guidelines, such as Good Laboratory or Manufacturing Practices (GLP / GMP) and 21 CFR Part 11. Electronic lab notebooks are specifically developed to meet these regulatory requirements, offering features like electronic signatures, data versioning, audit trails, and controlled access permissions. These compliance-focused features are essential for ensuring data integrity and meeting regulatory standards. These are lacking in OneNote and require customisation or workarounds (e.g., there is no electronic signature capability in OneNote).

3. Data Organization and Search

ELNs provide structured data organisation, allowing you to categorise and tag experiments, samples, and related information. This structured approach enables efficient data search, retrieval, and cross-referencing, making it easier to find specific experiments or data points. OneNote offers basic organisation features but does not provide the same level of flexibility and search capabilities specific to scientific research.

4. Collaboration and Teamwork

Biotech research often involves collaboration among internal team members and with external partners. Electronic lab notebooks offer collaboration features that facilitate real-time collaboration, data sharing, and commenting within the context of specific experiments or projects. ELNs allow multiple users to work simultaneously, track changes, and maintain a complete record of collaboration activities. While OneNote does support collaboration, it may not provide the same granularity and integration with laboratory workflows as ELNs. For instance, OneNote doesn’t allow sharing a single entry, so if you need to share one section with an external collaborator, you’ll need to start a new ELN with just the entries you want to share in them.

5. Integration with Laboratory Instruments and Software

ELNs can often integrate with laboratory instruments and other scientific software tools. This integration allows direct data transfer from instruments to the ELN, eliminating manual transcription and reducing the chances of errors. It also enables seamless integration with bioinformatics tools, data analysis platforms, and research data management systems. Two great examples of this at eLabNext are with Implen NanoPhotometer and Elemental Machines temperature (humidity, pressure, and light) monitoring for your samples. On the other hand, OneNote does not offer the same level of integration and interoperability with scientific instruments and software (at the time of writing this article, August 2023).

6. Data Security and Intellectual Property Protection

ELNs typically provide advanced data security measures, including user authentication, access controls, encryption, and secure cloud storage options. These security features are essential for protecting sensitive research data and intellectual property. While OneNote offers some security features, ELNs are specifically designed with data protection in mind and may provide more robust security measures for scientific research data. eLabnext is ISO 27001 accredited and is the most secure laboratory software on the market today.

Why Use Software Designed For a Different Task…

…when eLabNext’s ELN is specifically designed for the life science laboratory? Microsoft OneNote is a practical, general-purpose note-taking application.

However, ELNs offer specialised features and capabilities specifically designed for scientific research workflows and compliance requirements.

Would you use a screwdriver to hammer in a nail?

Let the note-taking programs be used for note-taking, and the ELNs, for streamlining the life sciences.

If your biotech start-up focuses on laboratory research, data management, collaboration, and regulatory compliance, an ELN is a more suitable choice than OneNote.

Why not request a free 30-day trial of eLabNext’s digital lab platform today and try it yourself? Together, we can uncover the benefits above and many, many more!

References:
1. Guerrero S, López-Cortés A, García-Cárdenas JM, et al. A quick guide for using Microsoft OneNote as an electronic laboratory notebook. PLOS Comput Biol. 2019;15(5):e1006918. doi:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006918
2. Guerrero S, Dujardin G, Cabrera-Andrade A, et al. Analysis and Implementation of an Electronic Laboratory Notebook in a Biomedical Research Institute. PLoS ONE. 2016;11(8):e0160428. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0160428